Lonza in Visp: one of the spearheads of life sciences in Switzerland

‘Buildings as large as football stadiums have been erected,’ explains Renzo Cicillini, site manager in Visp. The Ibex project, named after an Alpine ibex renowned for its agility, is now known as Bioparc. This state-of-the-art facility enables Lonza to work for more than a hundred pharmaceutical companies, from multinationals to start-ups.

Cutting-edge biological medicines for patients around the world

In Visp, Lonza specialises in the production of biological medicines, also known as biomedicines. These innovative treatments are produced from living cells and can be used to treat complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune diseases and certain rare diseases. The Valais site manufactures monoclonal antibodies, cell and gene therapies, and vaccines.

Unlike conventional chemical medicines, biopharmaceuticals require highly specialised infrastructure and extremely precise manufacturing processes. The facilities at the Bioparc in Visp enable cells to be cultivated in gigantic bioreactors, then purified and packaged in ultra-sterile clean rooms.

A flexible and modular business model

Lonza Visp operates as a contract manufacturer (CMO), offering flexible and modular services. ‘Some customers come to us for commercial production, others for small quantities for preclinical phases,’ explains the site manager.

This flexibility enabled the company to adapt after Moderna stopped producing the active ingredient for its vaccine. Employees were transferred to other projects and new customers now occupy the facilities.

An industrial history spanning more than a century

Lonza built its first plant in Visp in 1907 for the production of fertilisers. In 1965, the company opened a naphtha cracker plant, which is used in the production of chemicals and vitamins. The first pharmaceuticals plant in Visp dates back to 1984. In 2007, Lonza opened its first biopharmaceuticals plant.

This long industrial history has enabled the company to develop unique expertise. Clients who come to Lonza are not starting from scratch: the existing infrastructure allows for faster development of the desired drugs.